The Value of a PIA Education

Ranked by Forbes as a Top Two-Year Trade School in 2017, PIA has produced top notch aircraft mechanics and avionics technicians to enter the workforce in aviation maintenance, electronics, and other related fields since 1929. Our graduates are in demand throughout the US, and PIA offers employment assistance to help both students and alumni in their pursuit of employment in the field of aviation and related industries.

PIA’s specialized Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) and Aviation Electronics Technology (AET) programs provide hands on skill-sets based on aviation industry practices, but transferable into a diverse set of related occupations. Our aviation maintenance program will prepare you for an exciting career as a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified aircraft mechanic, and our aviation electronics (or avionics) program leads to opportunities as a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) licensed avionics technician.

Over the years, graduates have proven their versatility by entering into positions as technicians for regional and major airlines, aircraft production and maintenance facilities, amusement parks, automated production facilities, government contractors, petrochemical manufacturing plants, telecommunication systems providers, specialty metal manufacturers, and research and development centers – just to name a few.

In 2017, all of PIA’s campuses were selected by Delta Airlines as partner schools. Understanding the impending shortage of qualified aviation technicians, Delta created a mission to help increase both the awareness of technician demand and increase the knowledge and character of technicians entering today’s workforce.

Visit our Career Services page to learn more about how a PIA education can prepare you for a successful career.

The Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics lands as the No. 11 Two-Year Trade School and is the top school on the list for technical trades. For the first time, Forbes has put together a comprehensive ranking of two-year trade schools. Using the same “return on investment” focus as our annual Top Colleges report, this list of […]

In order to combat the looming skills shortage facing the aviation industry, Delta Air Lines has partnered with the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (PIA) as a way to keep their technical jobs filled. Delta recently inspected a number of AMT training schools nationwide in an effort to find the education establishments that meet or exceed […]

Inside PIA

Get the Skills for Success!

In the News

Taking Your Skills Beyond Aviation

Aviation Technology Programs

Breaking Down the Skills

● Landing Gear
Landing gear is an integral part of all aircraft. Landing gear ensures the aircraft is not damaged during takeoff and landing. When learning about landing gear on an aircraft students learn about hydraulic systems, ac motors, servicing of struts and tires.

The skills learned from servicing landing gear are applicable to various fields in heavy industry.

● Propulsion Systems
Propulsion systems deliver the thrust needed for an aircraft to maintain flight. They also provide the mechanical power to run things like generators, alternators, and hydraulic pumps. During the course of study students learn about reciprocating engines as well as turbine engines.

The skills learned from servicing propulsion systems are applicable to various fields in heavy industry.

● Airframe (Structure)
The airframe is the largest section of the aircraft. It covers everything from the fuselage to the wings. Skills need to work on it include sheet metal work, composite repair, and repairs to the lighting and electrical systems on the airframe.

Skills learned in the area are transferable to other fields such as metal fabrication, ventilation installation, welding, electric motors, and power distribution systems.

● Non-Destructive Testing (NDT's)
Nondestructive testing is an essential part of aviation maintenance. It allows the technician to see things with the aircraft structure that a visual inspection can not. Students learn to use the equipment to complete nondestructive testing.

The principles learned in the field are also used in fields such as industrial maintenance, oil industry, and gas industry.

● Flight Control Systems
Flight Control Systems throughout an aircraft are made up of hydraulic controllers called actuators, which allow the flaps, ailerons, and other components easy to control despite the tremendous forces.

These same principles are used in fields from roller coaster maintenance to maintaining the machinery used with automated systems in manufacturing.

Click a point on aircraft to Interact
Take a moment and use the interactive illustration to explore how some of the skills a PIA student can learns are utilized in a multitude of different industries.

● Avionics
Avionics are an ever expanding part of aviation. As advancements are made in automation of flight systems the complexity of avionics grows. This encompasses radios, transponders, pitot static systems, and even in flight entertainment systems.

The principles learned in this field are also used in fields such as medical equipment maintenance.

Who Can Succeed with PIA?

PIA’s Admissions Department is here to help individuals seeking to advance their education from a variety of life situations. Navigate to our Admissions page using any of the following links for details on the enrollment process.

Our History

Since 1929, PIA’s goal has been to provide its learners with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that they need in order to succeed in their chosen career fields. With associations in every facet of the aerospace industry, PIA has placed its graduates worldwide, in aviation and in other high-performance organizations. Explore our history below.

1929 - The Beginning

The Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics was created from a company named Curtiss-Wright Flight Services. The company, founded by Glenn Curtiss and Orville Wright, offered aircraft sales and service, as well as flight training.

In 1929, August G. Becker, who managed the organization for the Curtiss-Wright Corporation, leased the operations at Bettis Airport and purchased the school and its facilities. As president, Becker changed the name of the school to the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics that same year. Under the direction of Becker, the activities of the school changed from selling airplanes to repairing and maintaining them.

1944 - Reorganization of PIA

In 1944, Mr. Becker was informed that the Bettis Airport property was being sold, which would deprive the school of its valuable airport facility. The Bettis site was used for the construction of the U.S. nuclear plant where the atomic engine for the Nautilus submarine was developed by the Westinghouse Corporation. Mr. Becker decided to sell his interest to Mr. William J. Graham, President of the Graham Aviation Company and pioneer in aviation training.

The existing profit corporation was soon dissolved, and the school was reorganized as a nonprofit corporation chartered in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on February 8, 1946. In May of 1946, the school established its advanced phase of training for aircraft mechanics in new shops opened at Allegheny County Airport.

1967 - The Graham Family

After 23 years under the direction of William J. Graham, PIA underwent a change in ownership in 1967. PIA was acquired by Mr. Jack Graham, son of William, who became active in the management of PIA as President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board.

In July of 2005, Jack Graham stepped down from his position as PIA’s President after 40 years of dedicated service. The role was taken on by his son, John Graham III, who served as PIA’s President and Chief Executive Officer until his death in April of 2017. PIA's current President and CEO is Suzanne Markle.

1975 - Public School System Partnership

In 1975, Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics became the first private school in Pennsylvania to contract with the public school system by arranging for students of the Southeastern Area of Allegheny County to attend PIA as an adjunct of the Steel Center Area Vocational Technical School. This program continued for nearly 30 years until public school system budget cuts forced the discontinuation.

1980 - Expansion to Aviation Electronics

The 1980s brought about a new program for Aviation Electronics, then called Avionics, that had been in development for five years. Enrollments in this program, along with increased enrollments in the Aviation Maintenance Technician program, made it necessary to consider additional facility expansion. A second story was added to a portion of the school’s building in 1985, which provided classroom and laboratory additions totaling 17,000 square feet. Immediately upon completion of this structure, construction began on a 4,000 square-foot lunchroom for PIA’s staff and students.

In order to further accommodate the need of an expanding student population, PIA added three additional buildings to its campus between 1987 and 1990. Shortly after, however, it became necessary for PIA to downsize, selling both a recently purchased Powerplant Department and the three-story Graham Building on Lebanon Church Road. PIA did, however, retain all its facilities on the airport grounds, including the hangar acquired in 1990.

1995 - Introduction to Short-Term Training Programs

The year 1995 brought the addition of PIA’s Truck Driving Program. This new program, while quite a change from the usual course offerings, was created to serve both the company and the community. As skilled commercial drivers are always in demand, the course of study provides a much-needed training program to the Pittsburgh area. The Truck Driving Program has expanded over the years to include several locations in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio.

In 2003, PIA expanded the short-term training division, now called "Jump Start", to include Heavy Equipment Operator training as well.

PIA Jump Start is a separate division of PIA and is not accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).

2006 - PIA Expands Aviation Campuses

In order to meet a growing need for qualified technicians in the aviation industry in the new millennium, PIA decided to expand beyond its Pittsburgh campus and into several branch campuses over the next several years.

In 2006, PIA began training at its first branch campus near Youngstown, Ohio. After the success of the Youngstown campus, PIA sought to continue expansion, so the year 2011 brought the addition of the Hagerstown, Maryland branch. Finally, PIA instituted an aviation maintenance technician school adjacent to the Myrtle Beach International Airport in January 2012.

The Future is You

PIA’s longevity can be greatly attributed to its continuous pursuit of excellence in education. With the incredible changes that have taken place in the aviation industry, the economy, and the world since 1929, it seems unlikely that a school that offers such specialized training would remain in existence, and even more unlikely that it would remain at the forefront of its field. Yet, PIA has done just that. PIA's commitment to serving the needs of its students and employees, along with a responsibility to both the industry and the community, has secured its position as a well-respected postsecondary educational institution.

Ultimately, however, the future of aviation falls to you, the student. Our job at PIA is to prepare you for the ever-changing, ever-challenging field, but the rest is up to you. You take the knowledge you gain at PIA and carry it far beyond the campus, and, through determination, hard-work, and skill, you are the ones shaping the future of the industry forever.